LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Asian carp barriers won’t work

The electric barriers that the Army Corps of Engineers is using to keep invasive Asian carp from getting through the Chicago waterways and into Lake Michigan won’t work. That is what Gov. John Kasich said former Ohio Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Voinovich told him (“Governor enjoys time on Lake Erie,” July 12).

What if Mr. Voinovich is right? Once these monstrous fish are in Lake Michigan, there would be no stopping them. They would eventually make their way around the state of Michigan and south into Lake Erie.

You couldn’t design a nicer home for the Asian carp than Lake Erie’s western basin, near Toledo. The shallowest part of the Great Lakes system, the basin is home to the region’s richest fish spawning grounds.

But not for long, once the carp settle in. These predators would delight in eating the plankton on which our native fish depend. Getting rid of the carp would be impossible, and our region’s $7 billion sport and commercial fishing industry would be in grave peril.

We can’t take chances. The only sure solution is to separate the Mississippi River watershed from the Lake Michigan watershed, immediately. There’s no time for the multiyear studies that some are advocating.

Tom SheehanGilhouse Road

How about an ‘A’ to TPS for efforts?The Toledo Board of Education and the Toledo Public Schools administration, teachers, and staff are to be congratulated for collaborating to transform the school system (“U.S. gives $6M to TPS for 4 schools,” Aug. 10).

Superintendent Jerome Pecko’s recommendation not to place a levy on the ballot this fall is a bold statement to Toledoans that TPS is committed to making real progress in student outcomes before it asks for more public support.

It is important for all of us to appreciate the positive things that already set TPS apart from other urban school districts in Ohio, and which are the foundation for a successful transformation.

TPS has been aggressive in seeking substantial dollars to help fund initiatives that target improving opportunities for students. Success in these efforts will make TPS the top urban school district in the state.

Tom BradySpringfield Township

Ad complainer part of bailout?The writer of the Aug. 22 Readers’ Forum letter “Car dealer’s ads disrespectful” seems to have a short memory. Ads including our past president (and others) were quite common, and just as funny as this one. Did the writer care in the past?

Does the writer have any proof that the South Korean government subsidizes the automaker? If the letter writer pays any income tax, he participated in the Chrysler bailout.

Sitting in a glass house and throwing stones is not a good idea.

Claus StandSylvania

Other president’s voice imitatedI assume the letter writer who complained about the imitated voice of President Obama had no issues when the same car dealer aired commercials with the imitated voice of George W. Bush.